I just returned from mosque after completing my Fajr praying when I saw my youngest daughter sitting on the prayer mat. She was still using her mini mukena when I came, a sign that she just completed her Fajar prayer too. She was looking at me curiously as I prepared myself for another trip. "Walid, this is Sunday. Are you going to work too?" she asked. "Well....yes honey" I answer reluctantly. "Then...I have to cycle alone.." she said. Suddenly I felt a disappointment in her voice. I kissed her cheek and said "Next week, Insha Allah we will be cycling again, together with A-a (our call name for my son, her elder brother)....". She replied my kiss with a very big hug and said " Don't forget to buy gifts for me, okay..?" (I smiled, cause her last sentence reminded me to my buddies in office...). A grain of tears dropped from my eyes, unconsciously. "Sure my princess, I will..."
Sunday, for most people is a family day indeed. It is a day in which people get together with their hubbies, go to amusement park, visit relatives or just sit together at home, enjoy the free time. But for me, in many times, it becomes another working day. Like what I have today. I am supposed to cycle with my kids around our housing complex, and usually end up at Uduk rice stall near the guard gate. (That is why I insist many times that our directorate gathering should be a family one, because it always takes our family time, whether on Saturday or Sunday. I hope I will not miss our next 24-25 December gathering)
But last week our Banda Aceh office sent a request to our director to send me as a speaker in a workshop that will be held in IAIN ArRaniry. They even mentioned my name in their official memo. (Seems that now I become one of celebs in Islamic banking ...halah, nggak nanya )
The workshop itself will be held on Monday, so I can go by Sunday afternoon actually. But our admin department could not find afternoon flight to Banda Aceh. All flight are fully booked. December seems a hard time for everyone who travel even within domestic areas. Therefore, I have to be ready for another "struggle" in the very early in the morning, to catch the first flight, which is due on 06.45.
Well, here I am. Sitting on the waiting room in Soetta Airport, with other passengers, waiting for boarding the plane, accompanied by Melly Guslaw's Bunda from my headsetted-mobile phone. Morning rain outside falls, as if it wouldn't let me go. Just like the expression I had from my daughter this morning. Quite lonely here, as I have no one to talk to and no one to listen from. It is lucky that I have this group to write to. Hope you don't mind to read my sorrowful writing....hehehehe...
Eh... welcome home, Ms. Utie - our Little Princess and Ms. Riska. Don't forget to spare oleh-oleh for me, okay?
And have a nice journey for Ms. Auleeya and Ms. OW to Jambi. Eh....Jambi? What are both of you planning to do there? Planting coconut palms...? Wakakakakaka...
Bandara Soekarno Hatta
Gate F7 Waiting Room
Walid, guess that will be your nickname.. :p
ReplyDeleteYou are traveling a lot. Don't you get tired?
You've just came back from bukit tinggi, right?
Hehehehehe.. Take care, walid. And have a nice safe trip. Don't forget to bring "dodol durian" or cofee.
hemmm. sounds familiar. When I was a kid, I used to hate my Dad's job. He left so early in the morning and came back late at night. Even though he rarely traveled out of town, but just being late at home everyday (not all the time, just when he worked twice for the JSE), I felt like almost lost his figure for the whole week. But then again, I think that depends on how you manage to repay a quality time for your kids. My Dad was (and still is) good on that, alhamdulillah :) I think you'd do good as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm just arrived a few hours ago and now I'm suffering headaches and fever. I have to adjust my body clock for GMT +7 :D and fix this temperature issue :S
And then, reading this post made my jaw-dropped like "WHAT???" Mr. Walid, Ms Nita, Ms Auleeya and Ms Ordinary Woman will be out of town? Why should I bring the gifts then :( I have only a package of Turkish delights for each floor (for 1 DAY). so... aww too bad :P
anyway, have a safe trip friends! see you all around on.. Friday? or Monday the next week? :D
xoxo
@ Lind4: Walid is nickname from my kids to me. (Now spreading to my relative and friends also). It means "father" in English. If you call me Walid, then it sounds like you are my kids. How old I am ...hiks.
ReplyDeleteTired? That is the risk. But people many times want me to be the one who will be sent to them. I cannot resist...
@ Little Princess: Poor you girl. Everyone was going out when you came. No problem if we miss Turkish delight, but people are still waiting for lunch treat from you...*gedebuk* (ngareeeeep)